Simon Magnus Anderson

Name: Simon Magnus AndersonAge Group: 25-29Home State: VictoriaRace Bike Setup: Specialized Shiv, 105 Groupset, Zipp 404 front, Zip Super 9 disc rear (808 for Kona).Squad or/and Coach: Endurance Team – Ross Young (Initially Stephane Van Bruggen then Jarrod Evans and finally Ross Young.Run Nutrition: Hammer fizz and gels.What year was your first triathlon? Shepparton Half Ironman 2012. I think I did a sprint triathlon with a friend 10 years earlier but don’t really remember it. I had a few mates who thought it would be a good idea just to sign up and do Shepp as we had run two marathons before. I had recently moved to Geelong and thought it would be a good idea to join a squad and meet some new people. Next minute, there goes your life…two years later and still loving it.Favourite Race: And Why? Challenge Melbourne 2014. Won my age group. My Mum and Dad returned from a trip to Africa that week and my sister had recently returned from New York. I remember just going into the race thinking how lucky I was having the whole family there. So I just went out and enjoyed the race. It was just meant to be a lead up race for Ironman Melbourne in March. It goes to show how much a difference being relaxed and just remembering to enjoy the sport does to your performance. I never looked to see where I was placed and waited till after cooling down and having a free beer before checking the results. I had to call Mum and Dad back as they had already left.Dream Race: And Why? Challenge Roth. I’ve heard the atmosphere is incredible and would love to see all the spectators as well as the beer mile and the final finishing stadium.How do you push through the pain: You don’t push through the pain, you embrace it and look forward to it. It sounds sadistic but if you try to avoid pain, you’re probably in the wrong sport. I feel like it’s all a mind game to see how much you love the pain. I tell myself to look forward to the pain as you’re not challenging yourself or growing until you feel the burn. Every time you push yourself to this limit and feel that burn, it makes you stronger. Just remember that next time you feel the burn and it will make you push harder. I learn to love that moment and live in that moment because those are the moments you remember the most. The rest is just foreplay.Dinner for 4, who’s coming: Craig Alexander, Jesus, Mohammad, Ghandi. All the most advanced in their area of expertise. But there can only be one chosen one. I’ll let them work it out.Favourite Quote: “You can pay off debts, but you can never buy-back opportunity”You’re the CEO of the World Triathlon Corporation, what is your first order of business? Send Pete Jacobs an apology.Next 12 Months looks like: Racing ‘for fun’. After two years of jumping head first into a sport I had no idea about and getting to Kona in October this year, I did learn that balance and remembering to enjoy the sport and share the journey with friends and family is the most important thing. I feel like I could have created a more sustainable foundation by taking time to develop good solid relationships with sponsors and understanding the sport, rather than feeling like I had to get to Kona at all costs. I’d like to have a base building year and then develop this into a competitive 2016 if work and time permits (life outside of triathlon – what’s that?).